held up, some headway 4th, weakened 3 out
never fluent, soon in rear, effort when jumped slowly 6th, tailed off
led 2nd, wandered approaching 4th, pushed along and joined approaching 2 out, soon lost 2nd, went 2nd again before the last, no chance with winner
chased leaders until lost place 3rd, never on terms after, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, led 2 out, soon clear, very easily
chased leaders in 4th, not fluent 3rd, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, never on terms with leading trio after
took keen hold, led until 1st, prominent, saddle slipped after 3rd, soon pulled up
chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, ridden and every chance 2 out, soon not pace of winner, dropped to 3rd before the last
It's difficult to evaluate Top And Drop's last of four behind Bagging Turf at Sandown but she'd shown a little promise previously at Plumpton. Whispering Storm was fourth in a bumper at Kempton last month and may do better over hurdles. But he wears a tongue-tie and a hood so may not be entirely straightforward. VERNI hung fire when third on his hurdles bow at Uttoxeter on New Year's Eve but the first, second and fourth from that race have all won since so the form is decent - Philip Hobbs' charge can open his account here. Winning Ticket was third in a Ffos Las bumper in February but is probably best watched today.
Glimpse Of Gold 40-1 (11-0) Held up, not fluent 1st, hit 4th, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Vinciaettis (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Mar.
Pomicide 25-1 (11-1) Jumped poorly in rear, went right and unseated rider 3rd, at Exeter 2m 3f (5) hvy in Mar.
Quarryman 100-1 (11-0) Never betttter than mid-division, behind 6th, tailed off next, 10th of 14, dist behind Ozzie The Oscar (11-0) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Relkwood (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders early, behind from 4th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Verni (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Prominent, led after 4th, mistake 2 out, headed and bumped last, hung left flat, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Pinnacle Panda (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) hvy in Dec.
Winning Ticket (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up in 4th, headway into 2nd 3f out, driven over 2f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, soon one pace, no chance with winner when lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 11 3/4l behind Druid's Folly (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m mdn (6) hvy in Feb.
Monet Moor 100-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 1st, lost place and reminders halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Top And Drop 6-1 (10-12) Sweating, tracked leader, ridden and beaten in 4th when mistake 2 out, weakened last, last of 4, 17l behind Bagging Turf (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f (4) hvy in Mar.
Whispering Storm (GER) 12-1 (11-3) Held up in mid-division, kept on final 2f, modest 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 17, 18 1/4l behind Mere Ironmonger (10-10) at Kempton 2m mdn (5) gd in Mar.
